A new study found that high coffee consumption is linked to a significantly higher risk of stroke while drinking tea and water is linked to a lower risk. The findings highlight the importance of healthier beverage choices. The corresponding study was published in the International Journal of Stroke.
Stroke is a leading cause of death and disability worldwide. Dietary modification is a major intervention target. Beverage consumption may also influence stroke risk. Tea and coffee are among the most popular beverages worldwide, with over 50% of people consuming one or both. The drinks are known to contain caffeine, which increases blood pressure- a leading risk factor for stroke.
Tea and coffee also contain other active constituents that are known to impact biological functions, such as insulin resistance and inflammation. Understanding the full clinical impacts of these beverages on stroke risk from biological effects alone, however, may be difficult. Epidemiological evidence is thus important.
In the current study, researchers investigated the link between tea and coffee intake and stroke by analyzing data from almost 27,000 participants from around 30 countries. They found that drinking more than four cups of coffee per day was linked to a 37% higher risk of stroke.
Meanwhile, drinking tea- particularly black tea- was found to reduce stroke risk by 18- 29%. The reduced incidence of stroke, however, was lost among those who added milk to their tea. Unlike coffee, no level of tea consumption was linked to a higher risk of stroke.
The researchers further found that drinking carbonated drinks, including sugar-sweetened and artificially sweetened beverages, was linked to a 22% higher risk of stroke, with the risk increasing with two or more drinks per day.
Meanwhile, fruit juice drinks were linked to a 37% higher risk of stroke from intracranial hemorrhage. The risk tripled with two such drinks per day.
Drinking over seven cups of water per day was linked to a lower risk of stroke caused by a clot.
The researchers suggest that individuals avoid very high coffee consumption (five or more cups per day). They also recommended against adding milk to tea to reduce future stroke risk, and avoiding or minimizing the consumption of fizzy and fruit drinks. Consuming water instead was recommended.